Christians

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BEOWULF

  • Beowulf is a Christian work.
    • Historical context supports argument.
    • Quotations that validate a Christian viewpoint are found throughout the entire poem.
    • Biblical references appear in various parts of the work.
    • There are many reasons suggesting that Beowulf is not a Pagan work.

  • Historical Context
    • Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon poem.
    • "The spread of Christianity was crucial for the development of Anglo-Saxon culture."-Page 5 anthology
      • Especially throughout the 8th century and beyond, Christianity strongly influenced the Anglo-Saxon peoples and carried to another level their legends and storytelling, only in a more saintly fashion. Instead of being heroes of legend, the new Anglo-Saxon heroes, such as Beowulf, were placed in the realm of sainthood because of their great deeds for God and the way he provides for them in battle.
  • Quotations
    • "It harrowed him [Grendel] to hear... of man's beginnings, how the Almighty had made the earth a gleaming plain girdled with waters; in His splendour He set the sun and the moon to be Earth's lamplight, lanterns for men, and filled the broad lap of the world with branches and leaves; and quickened life in every other thing that moved."
      • A direct, undeniable reference to the Christian god
    • “It is a great wonder how Almighty God in His… earth and forts commands in his own country.”
      • Refers to God’s all-powerful decisions and determination of fate
  • Biblical References
    • The Fight with the Dragon
      • A symbol of Jesus’ Crucifixion
      • Jesus had 12 disciples while going to his crufixion.
        • Jesus brought twelve 'warriors' with him to fight his final enemy, the dragon.
      • At the crucifixion, all the disciples ran away except for John
        • At the fight, all of Beowulf’s warriors ran except for Wiglaf
    • The monsters are the devils
      • Dragon
        • In the bible, there are numerous references to the devil being a serpent, such as in the Garden of Eve
          • The dragon is a serpent
            • "The old dawn-scorching serpent's den"
        • In the Bible the Devil is linked with acts of tempation
          • In the Devil's lair he is surrounded with beautiful treasures, but one knows not to take them or he will wake the dragon
            • Just as Eve takes a bite of the devil's apple and is expelled from the Garden of Eve, the slave takes the dragon's bejeweled goblet and the dragon tried to expell them from Geatland.
      • Grendel
        • lives in the darkness and is described as black
        • Grendel is refered to as the seed of Cain
    • The light surrounding Beowulf parallels the light surrounding Jesus
    • *** "Their mail-shirts glinted, hard and hang-linked; the high-gloss iron of their amour rang"
    • Baptism
      • As Jesus rose from the lake after killing Grendel’s mother, the lake became clear, or pure.
      • Wiglaf splashed water on Beowulf at the end of the poem, as Beowulf is dying. Baptizing one near their death, especially in that time period, was a common ritual.
      • "And now that thane unequalled in goodness with his own hands washed the lord's wounds, swabbed the weary prince with water, bathed him clean."
    • Weeping of woman at Beowulf's funeral
      • Corresponds to Mary's weeping at Jesus' death
  • Why Beowulf is NOT a Pagan work
    • Paganism
      • Polytheistic
      • Ideals of strength over God’s will
    • Only one God is directly referred to while worshipping
      • J.R.R. Tolkien believes this is because the poet "knew about Christianity, and consequently would no longer name the heathen gods."
    • Sometimes at pagan shrines [the Danes] vowed offerings to idols... "The Almighty Judge of good deeds and bad, the Lord God, Head of the Heavens and High King of the World, was unknown to them."
      • This quote shows the poet’s views on Paganism
      • When the Danes prayed to Pagan idols, no help came. However, when Beowulf arrived, in touch with the Christian God, the Danes found success.
    • "Oh, cursed is he who in time of trouble has to thrust his soul in the fire's embrace, forfeiting help; he has nowhere to turn. But blessed is he who after death can approach the Lord and find friendship in the Father's embrace"
      • The Danes resorted to worship Pagan gods, because they did not understand the benefits of Christianity, leading them to the 'fire's embrace', or hell. However, when one seeks out the Christian God, he will be blessed.
    • Strength failing because of God’s will
      • "But I couldn't stop [Grendel] from slipping my hold. The Lord allowed it, my lock on him wasn't strong enough,..."
      • "And may the Divine Lord in his wisdom grant the glory of victory to whichever side He sees fit."
        • These quotes show the Christian God’s significance in fights. Although Pagans cherish strength, God’s will proves more powerful in Beowulf
  • In review…
    • Historically, it simply makes more sense to match this Anglo-Saxon poem with Christianity, the religion that shaped their society.
    • Numerous, unmistakable biblical references make Christianity in the poem indisputable
    • Many quotations straight from the poem support Christianity
    • Too many aspects of the poem violate Pagan beliefs to be considered Pagan
    • Beowulf, therefore, is a Christian work